Announced Actions for April 28, 1998

For Your Information

April 28, 1998

Consent agreements given final approval: Following a public comment period, the Commission has made final a consent agreement with the following entity. The Commission action makes the consent order binding on the respondent.

The Commission has made final a consent order with Cablevision Systems Corp. that settles charges that its acquisition of Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI) cable systems in Paramus and Hillsdale, New Jersey, would substantially reduce competition in these two markets, where only Cablevision and TCI provide services. Under the terms of the consent order, Cablevision must divest the TCI cable systems in those two markets by June 24, 1998. If Cablevision does not divest on time (as that time may be extended under the order) the Commission may appoint a trustee to divest the TCI systems. The Commission vote to approve the settlement was 5-0. (See news release dated January 16, 1998; Docket No. C-3804. Staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, 202-326-2526.)

Applications for approval of transactions: The FTC has received an application for approval of a transaction from the following. The FTC is seeking public comments on the application until May 26, 1998.

Supervalu Inc. has petitioned the Commission to approve the sale of two stores to a subsidiary of The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P). The stores to be divested are the former Delchamps Store #364 in Orange Grove, MS, and the former Jitney-Jungle Store #42 in Gulfport, MS. Jitney-Jungle originally sold the stores to Supervalu to comply with the FTC consent order that resolved concerns about Jitney-Jungle’s purchase of stores in various markets in Mississippi and Florida. The order also provided that for a period of three years if Supervalu decides to resell the stores, it must obtain the Commission’s approval prior to the sale. (See news releases dated September 12, 1997; January 30, 1998; Docket No. C-3784. Staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, 202-326-2526.)

Applications for approval of transactions: The FTC has received an application for approval of a transaction from the following. The FTC is seeking public comments on the application until May 29, 1998.

Diageo p.l.c. has petitioned the Commission to approve the divestiture of its worldwide Dewar’s Scotch, Bombay Original gin and Bombay Sapphire gin brands to Bacardi & Company Limited. The divestiture is required as part of a consent order, which was recently made final by the Commission, settling charges that the merger of Guinness p.l.c. and Grand Metropolitan p.l.c. would violate the antitrust laws. After the merger, the surviving corporation was renamed Diageo. Diageo must complete the divestitures by June 8, 1998. (See news releases dated December 15, 1997; April 21, 1998; Docket No. C-3801. Staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, 202- 326-2526.)

Comments on the Supervalu and Diageo matters should be addressed to the FTC, Office of the Secretary, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. Copies of the documents referenced above are available from the FTC’s web site athttp://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 202-FTC-HELP (202- 382-4357); TDD for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. Consent agreements subject to public comment also are available by calling 202-326-3627. To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710.